Gering, John C. (1881-1960)

Revision as of 16:03, 16 August 2018

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Mar 3 p. 8, 10

Birth date: 1881 May 4

text of obituary:

John C. Gering was born May 4, 1881 on his parents farm southeast of Freeman, South Dakota, in Turner County, where he spend a happy childhood.

He was baptized and remained a lifelong member of the Salem Mennonite church. He loved religious music, Christian literature,and had Christian mottos hanging in his home and place of business.

Early in life he showed an interest in and aptitude for music, and because of the advantage of a competent teacher staying in the home, learned to play the piano and other instruments, which gave him much pleasure throughout life. He helped organize the Childstown Band about 1905, which was one of the first such groups in the Freeman area. He served as church pianist for a number of years. Other interests included photography in the early days of the craft, and a love for reading,. He acquired a large collection of books.

In addition to his elementary education, he attended college at Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell, S. Dak. In the spirit of pioneers in the community who believed obstacles can be overcome by determination and effort, he traveled the 60 miles between his home and Mitchell many times by bicycle.Later he taught school for seven years.

Together with his brother Henry he became interested in the craft of making gold wire name pins and other articles made of wire. Many of these were sold my mail in other states and foreign countries. To advertise these products he started doing his own printing, and this hobby laid the foundation for his life work and founding of Pine Hill Printery, which he operated for over 50 years before retiring.

On April 21, 1904 he was married to Marie miller, with whom he shared life's joys and sorrows for 56 years. There were four children.